NGCP clarifies scope of obligations

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has firmly refuted allegations suggesting its failure to stabilize the transmission system, reiterating that its mandate is confined to transmission of power from producers to grid-connected areas of the country.

“As the transmission service provider, NGCP can only give an overview of the current supply and demand situation and endeavor to dispatch any and all available power. It cannot intervene on matters concerning power generation,” the NGCP said in a statement.

NGCP maintains its earlier pronouncements that there was no transmission disturbance before the tripping of the Panay Energy Development Corp. Unit 1 at 12:06 p.m. on Jan. 2.

“After this event, NGCP was able to recover the transmission system and normalize voltage. This normal voltage situation persisted until several power plants inexplicably tripped at 2:19 p.m. Data from our system show no abnormality in voltage and system stability,” the NGCP said.

“Despite this, critics persist on blaming NGCP for what are clearly problems arising from the unplanned shutdowns of power generators. It is alarming to hear policymakers immediately make conclusions based on assumptions contrary to fact. We are firm in our position that the system prior to the 2:19 p.m. multiple tripping was normal, and our actions were undertaken within protocols. Any contrary statement is speculative,” it lamented.

“Rather than using NGCP as a scapegoat, we urge policymakers to be objective in their search for facts and not coddle certain sectors,” NGCP said.

“This is not a time to push personal or political agendas, but a time for honest-to-goodness solution finding. We again reiterate our push for a comprehensive industry-wide approach to resolve the persistent power supply issues on Panay Island and elsewhere in the country,” it stated.

In line with the latest incident, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the department is in full support of calls made by legislative leaders and Panay local officials for a legislative investigation, with a view to revisit and review the franchise of NGCP.

Lotilla said the DOE will recommend to Congress that the review